Pixel Liber RBG Pocket Video Light: Good Things Comes in Small Packages!
We like testing all kinds of photography and video lights in Camera Decision. Considering that we are planning to launch the Camera Decision Youtube channel in 2022, we got really excited when Pixel contacted us to see if we are interested in reviewing two of their popular video lights: Pixel Liber RGB Pocket Video light and the Pixel K80 RGB Panel Lights. Our answer was an easy 'Yes". This review is specifically for the tiny pocket size light Pixel Liber which will be followed by the review of the K80 lights.
Pixel is a Hong-Kong based manufacturer of photography and videography accessories such as video lights, microphones, wireless flash triggers, wired and wireless camera remote cotrollers, battery grips and filters, popular among photographers thanks to their affordable products with high Performance/price ratios. For more information about the manufacturer and their product range, check Pixel Website. For more information about this product, check Pixel Liber Official Product Page.
UPDATE: Check also our Pixel K80 RGB Light Review
Disclaimer: Pixel did not pay us to write this article and no money was exchanged. However, the company sent us the product (Pixel Liber )to review for free. This review is my unbiased opinion as Pixel did not modify the article before its publication.
The Review
We have been reviewing the Liber video light for 2 weeks and have to say that we are really impressed by this little pocket monster. Despite its small size, it is really bright and have all the features you can expect from a modern RBG video light, and some more! Read the rest of the review to see if it is a good match for your needs too.
What is in the box?
Pixel Liber Box
Pixel Liber comes in a well designed package. Everything you need to start using the light is included. At 4.73 oz, with the external dimensions of 3.94" x 2.36" x 0.59", we were surprised to see how compact the light was at first. So compact that you can easily carry this even in your shirt pocket.
- Liber RGB Video Light
- Soft box Diffuser
- Type C charging cable
- Hot shoe adapter
- Sheet metals with stickers (4pcs)
- Manual
What is in the Box
Liber RGB Light Specs and Features:
Pixel Liber is a feature-rich video light in a compact body while still providing enough power to light smaller objects, creating background light or scene effects. Here are the main specifications:
- RGB Video Light with APP Control
- 66 Lamp Beads: 24 Warm White Light, 24 Cold White Light and 18 RGB
- Up to 16 Million combination of Colors
- Supplied Diffuser
- Built-in Magnet
- 0-765° Hue Range
- 2500K-8500K CCT Color Temperature
- CRI95+
- TLCI98+
- 10 Scene Modes
- Size :0.55*2.28*3.89 inches
- Brightness adjusment of 0% to 100%
- Built-in 3000mAh rechargeable lithium battery (charge via USB-C port)
- Two 1/4" screw holes, one at the bottom a one on side for vertical and horizontal orientation.
- OLED Display
Controls and Layout
Liber Light Controls
Controls on the Liber video lights is simple and intuitive, we didn't have to read the manual to find out how the settins are changed but it may also be because we are familiar with these kind of lights. Controls consists of an On/Off Switch and an Adjustment Dial wheel, all placed on the left side of the light. You can change between modes by pressing the wheel for 1 second. The OLED screen on the back of the light is small yet easily readable.
Pixel Link App Control
Alternative to the physical controls is to connect your smart phone via bluetooth and control the setting on the Pixel Link app for iOS or Android. We have tested the iOS app and the connection was almost instant and had no issues changing the settings from the app. Infact, we found changing the settings via the Link app was much faster.
You can find the Pixel Link apps for Android and iOS below:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.by.by_light&hl=en
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/sn/app/pixel-link/id1570956008
Battery and Charging
Liber video light has a built-in 3000mAh rechargeable lithium battery. Charging is via the Type-C Charging port which is on the side of the light, next to the On/Off switch. Charging from 0% to 100% takes around 2 hours with a 5V2A charger. A Type-C to USB cable is included in the box but no charger is included. We have used our smart phone charger with no issues.
Depending on the brightness level you are using the Liber, the built-in battery is good for 90-100 minutes of use from our experience which is really good. If you need a longer use, you can connect it a charger or a battery pack and use it as long as you like. There is also a battery indicator on the OLED screen which has 4 levels on it.
Pixel Liber RGB Video Light in Use
Thanks to its small size, two 1/4" screw holes on the body and the included hot shoe adapter, the Liber can be used many different setups. One of the most obvious ways is to mount the light on top of your camera with the hot shoe adapter with adjustable ball head, directing the light to your subject on the same axis with your camera lens. But this is not our prefereed way to use the Liber light.
Liber Mounted on Camera
In order to be more creative and flexible with our light sources, we prefer to use it off the camera, either on a small tripod, attached on a surface with the built in magnet, or even hand held. Its compact size makes it very easy to move it hand held around the subject, especially for product videography.
Light Modes:
The Liber light can be operated in 4 different modes:
- CCT Coor Temperature Mode
- HSI Mode
- RGB Mode
- Scene Mode
The shooting mode can be changed by pressing the adjustment wheel for 1 second, or changing them remotely from the Link app.
Scene Modes:
There are 10 different built-in scene modes on the Liber Video light. These are Lightning 1, Lightning 2, Cinema, Police, Ambulance, Fire engine, RGB 1, RGB 2, SOS and Candlelight. If you are looking for an easy way to add some light effects to your video, these presets are what you are looking for.
Conclusion: What We Love about Pixel RGB:
There is a lot to like about this compact and powerful pocket light for sure. We already see lot of use cases in our daily setups where a compact and easy to move RGB light is needed.
Here we tried to summarize the main points why we think you can also consider to add this to your arsenal.
- High Max brightness for the size
- Easy control with iOS and Android apps ( Only tested on iOS) via bluetooth connection
- Built-in magnet comes handy to easily fix on a metal surface. Furthermore, you can use the included metal sheets to stick on non-metal surfaces.
- Excellent build quality and phyical controls
- Good battery life and continuous use when USB-C cable is attached
- Included diffuser serves as a softbox when you need softer light
- Flexible settings with 4 different modes.
- Good price level
- Doesn't get very hot even in longer durations.
Price and Availability:
As of this this writing, Pixel Liber RBG Video Light was selling for just under $60 at Amazon US which is very affordable considering its feature set and performance.
